Clinical profile of a new hormone replacement therapy containing 2 mg 17 beta-estradiol and 10 mg dydrogesterone

Objective: Patient's acceptability, compliance, and effectiveness of a new sequential hormone replacement regimen containing 2 mg 17 beta-estradiol an d 10 mg dydrogesterone, were assessed in a 3-month, open, multicentre study involving 110 menopausal women. Methods: A specially designed menopause sc ore was used to assess the severity of menopausal symptoms, each symptom be ing graded at baseline and after 3 months on a four-point scale. Bleeding d ata were recorded by the patient on a diary card. Serum hormone levels incl uding FSH, LH, E2, P, PRL, DHEA-S, T, SHBG were checked at the initial visi t and at the end of the study. Results: After 3 months of treatment, all bu t four of the 34 climacteric symptoms investigated showed a significant imp rovement. There were no significant changes noted in body weight. The avera ge duration and flow of bleeding showed no significant changes during hormo ne replacement therapy (HRT). There were no serious adverse events related to treatment. Conclusion: The 17 beta-estradiol/ dydrogesterone combination HRT reduced effectively climacteric symptoms, showed no significant change s in endometrial thickness as determined by transvaginal ultrasonography an d provided excellent cycle control. (C) 2000 Elsevier Science Ireland Ltd. All rights reserved.